£5m to save St Laurence's Church in Ludlow for future

That was the warning from Shaun Ward, co-ordinator of the Vision project to restore the 800-year-old St Laurence's Church in Ludlow to its former glory.

An ambitious £15 million scheme to make the church, which attracts thousands of tourists from across the world ever year, bigger has already had to be shelved because of a lack of cash.

Grants have been secured from various bodies for the £5 million repairs, which are ongoing, but church bosses have had to issue an appeal for donations to help fund the latest stage.

It will see a temporary boiler installed to keep the congregation warm this winter.

Mr Ward said running costs currently stand at £12,500 a year just to pay for gas to heat the building.

He added: "St Laurence's has survived the Reformation and The English Civil War but if we do not do this work it will not be here in 100 years.

"St Laurence's is so grateful for all that has been given to date, people have finally been able to see extensive work taking place.

"The heating project will help us improve the experience of visiting and using the church."

Nearly £23,000 has already been raised by the community, enough to purchase the basic boiler equipment.

But the Venerable Colin Williams, rector of St Laurence's, said thousands more are needed and issued an urgent appeal for help.

He said: "Heating the church is a crucial part of the caring for the tens of thousands of people who visit and use St Laurence's."

In 2011, more than 60,000 people visited St Laurence's, making it one of the most popular free visitor attractions in the region.

Improvements are planned or are underway for flooring, heating, lighting and making the building more accessible and enjoyable to visitors and tourists.

Phase one and two of the project, which are currently ongoing, will see £500,000 spent on restoring and securing historic fittings, roofs and high level stonework.